Big Sam happy with three in a row

Sam Allardyce was all smiles as West Ham United chalked up a third straight Barclays Premier League win by beating Norwich City on Tuesday.

The Hammers rode their luck and were saved by goalkeeper Adrian on at least three occasions before two late goals from James Collins and Mohamed Diame secured victory over the Canaries at the Boleyn Ground - lifting Big Sam's side into the top half of the table.

Speaking to West Ham TV, Big Sam hailed his team for achieving a hat-trick of top-flight wins for the first time since spring 2007 and their fourth top division clean sheet in succession for the first time since 1985!

"It's a massive turnaround for us all," he said. "This was a really hard-fought game between two teams going at it head-to-head, both wanting to win to try and ease that pressure on them being close to the bottom.

"In the end, as you always need to do, if you can take a chance then you can win it, and Ginge did that for us. Apart from his really good performance at the back again, with James Tomkins, he has got the winner for us in terms of starting the process of a win. I think Ginge would stick his head in a fire if he thought he could get us a few points or a clean sheet! That's the attitude you need to have in this league - tough and brave and with ability and desire. You need all of those aspects to deliver at this level.

"You may think Mo Diame's [94th-minute] goal was irrelevant but it wasn't, because as everybody says it only takes a second to score a goal. When Mo went from one end of the field to the other with the ability that he's got and got a deserved deflection, anything could have happened if we didn't score. Norwich had got six players up and if John Ruddy had knocked the ball down the middle, anything could have happened.

"It was a really hard-earned victory for us and another magnificent clean sheet. To get that clean sheet, our goalkeeper Adrian made three outstanding saves, which he hadn't had to do recently because he hasn't been stretched in terms of making those type of saves. He made them at critical times for us and that gave us the opportunity to get the win.

"When you win as late as we did, it sends everybody home happy and relieved and very grateful that we've got another three points.

"Tenth in the league now, but it doesn't mean an awful lot because there aren't many points between tenth and third from bottom, so hopefully we'll continue onwards and upwards with Southampton in ten or eleven days time."

West Ham have found different ways to win in recent weeks, stifling possession-hungry Swansea City, dominating Aston Villa and now sneaking past Norwich in a game that could have gone either way.

"It's very important to have a strong squad. We had Mo Diame back and he has contributed by making and scoring a goal and he could even have got one earlier but for an unbelievable save from Ruddy.

"Having the options to come on, like the two Italians [Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello] and Pablo Armero, who we haven't seen yet, is brilliant. It's difficult for me to change the team because we keep winning, so they have to be more patient.

"I'm pleased for everybody and the squad of players we have, seeing smiles on their faces instead of the heads between their knees as we saw over Christmas. It's great to see their heads up and smiling and really enjoying their football again.

"At the moment we're the team in form, picking up points left, right and centre. It's really pleasing because the games are starting to run out now. Our form at this stage is very important, and even more important are the results we're getting as well."

Big Sam welcomed Lennox Lewis to the Hammers dressing room

Big Sam and his squad will now pack their bags for a four-day warm-weather training camp at the Dubai Sports City in the United Arab Emirates.

The manager has taken his players away in each of the last two years at around this time of year - both times resulting in improved physical and mental fitness levels on their return to action.

"It's already benefited us now, because once the lads knew the trip was booked four or five weeks ago, it has been part of our turnaround. It was something for them to look forward to, to strive for and to know that they are going to do what I've done every year for the last 14 years.

"The critical need for it for every player we have is there for them to get a bit of sun on their back, do a little bit of light training and ease the pressure on the mind, soul and body. They will come back refreshed.

"We've already had a massive response because they've been looking forward to it so much, and now they can look forward to it even more because of what they've just achieved. When we get back, we'll be ready to go again.

"It's about the data, rather than results. You judge it on whether they are re-energised and doing more than before they went, and all my data has proven over the last 14 years that the answer to that is 'Yes'."

Finally, the manager was delighted to welcome former undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion and lifelong Hammers fan Lennox Lewis to the dressing room prior to kick-off against Norwich.

"I could hardly get my arm round him when I was having a photo taken! I got my own photo taken as meeting a world champion is something a bit special. He seemed a nice guy, was only born down the road and is a big West Ham fan, so it is always great to see him."